Challenges abound for public finance amid geopolitical turmoil

Rising interest rates, inflation and geopolitics have put pressures on the municipal market since the start of 2022. These challenges come as the world also is still managing the COVID-19 pandemic’s lingering effects.

• The Federal Reserve is beginning to raise interest rates, in the midst of inflation concerns and supply chain issues, putting pressure on all markets
• Issuer credit has improved dramatically with the influx of federal aid and better-than-anticipated revenues, but pensions and workforce challenges loom
• Infrastructure remains a focal point as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act dollars begin to flow with issuers factoring in this money into their future building plans
• ESG continues its rapid ascent into the muni market, with issuers, investors and regulators weighing in